Transcript Highlights:

• that everyone understands that the Assembly has rules to ensure that we maintain order and run an efficient
• SB 337 makes important changes to the reporting, investigations, and disciplinary process that takes
• According to CDCR's report from this past April, another 208 trans-identifying males are currently in
• The author continued that a 2023 CDCR report showed the share of sexual misconduct or sexual assault
• A most recent report came out of 2023 by CDCR's own report that now has jumped to 68% of the cases of

Summary: The Assembly Public Safety Committee met and adopted a consent calendar that included SB 4, SB 229, SB 385, SB 459, and SB 553. SB 221 was pulled by the committee and will return later. The committee then heard several bills, with members repeatedly noting the next hearing would be July 1 in Room 126. SB 281 by Senator Perez would require judges to use the exact statutory immigration-consequences advisement when taking pleas from noncitizen defendants. Supporters said judges have been deviating from the required language, creating confusion and harming defendants; opponents, including district attorneys, warned that the bill could affect plea withdrawals and appellate litigation unless amended. The committee discussed possible amendments, including a nonretroactivity clarification and language proposed by the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office, and the bill was passed on call. SB 337 by Senator Menjivar would strengthen protections against sexual abuse and misconduct in prisons, especially women’s prisons, by requiring documentation of searches, extending grievance timelines, limiting hiring of people with violent or sexual convictions, and improving investigation procedures. Supporters emphasized staff abuse, retaliation concerns, and the need for oversight; opposition testimony focused on transgender inmate placement and was criticized by committee members as not germane. The bill passed 9-0 to Appropriations. SB 379 by Senator Jones, dealing with oversight of sexually violent predator conditional release placements, passed to Appropriations after support from law enforcement and prosecutors and no opposition. SB 734 by Senator Caballero, which would provide due process protections for law enforcement officers affected by California Racial Justice Act findings, also passed to Appropriations with support from police and district attorney groups and no opposition. SB 551 by Senator Cortese, which would codify normalization and dynamic security principles in corrections, passed to Appropriations despite concerns from one member that it went too far in making prisons too home-like.

Transcript Highlights:

• acting chair of the Elections Committee, my job is to make sure our committee runs smoothly and efficiently
• Our goal is to conduct these proceedings efficiently while ensuring everyone the opportunity to observe
• while<00:02:06.640> ensuring<00:02:07.080> everyone<00:02:07.520> the efficiently
• while ensuring everyone the efficiently while ensuring everyone the opportunity<00:02:08.240> to<
• The administration's poor track record of keeping sensitive data secure, given reports of mishandling

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, reallocating the efficiencies from MnDOT, the 15% towards quarters of commerce I think is a huge
• So it's just an efficiency and technically a technical fix.
• transportation to calculate and report transportation to calculate and report the<00:10:54.480><
• > across<00:19:26.160> the general aviation reports across the general aviation reports
• <01:02:53.280> uh ended up uh with this gap report uh ended up uh with this gap report uh

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• He then introduced a new program called the Biofertilizer Innovation and Efficiency Program, which he
• So those are fertilizer more efficient.
• He said lines 36 and 37 are two reports regarding biosolids and sewage sludge, and also for the Hennepin
• And section five establishes the biofertilizer innovation and efficiency program to provide per-acre
• and efficiency program to provide<00:19:58.640> per<00:19:58.880> acre<00:19:59.760>

Bills: HF2446, HF2563, HF2444

Keywords: agriculture finance, broadband development, Department of Agriculture, Board of Animal Health, Agricultural Utilization Research Institute, Office of Broadband Development, food safety, food handler license, cottage food, home processed food, livestock dealer, meat packing company, milk marketer, milk marketing license, grain buyer, grain storage, beginning farmer, emerging farmer, farm down payment assistance, livestock investment grant

Transcript Highlights:

• The subcommittee recommends reporting on a vote of 10 to 0.
• The subcommittee recommends reporting on a vote of 10 to 0.
• And Chair Glass, is that complete your report? Madam Chair, that completes my subcommittee report.
• Bill reports. Chair Reid. Thank you, Madam Chair.
• Clerk will close the roll and the bill reports. Madam Chair, that completes my report.

Keywords: House Committee Room B, General Assembly Building, 976, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And it's quite a large report.
• It's Appendix J of the PIG report.
• And so, I'm efficient as possible.
• <00:25:31.480> It's And it's quite a large report. It's And it's quite a large report.
• <00:26:45.520> Sorry, Appendix J of the PIG report. Sorry, Appendix J of the PIG report.

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The House Committee on Labor met on February 19, 2026, and heard a series of bills largely focused on public employment, staffing, and professional licensing. Early measures included HB 2276 and HB 2472, both relating to Hawaii Employer-Union Health Benefits Trust Fund staff salaries, which were supported by trust fund representatives and received no opposition or questions. The committee also heard HB 1714 HD1 on housing, where the Hawaii Public Housing Authority testified with comments and the Deputy Attorney General raised concerns about the scope of autonomy, civil service, collective bargaining, and a possible separation-of-powers issue involving legislative approval of long-term contracts. The committee then considered several personnel and civil service bills. HB 2325 HD1, relating to civil service exempt positions at DLNR, drew support from DLNR and the Office of Planning and Sustainable Development, but HGEA opposed it and urged the department to seek other recruitment and retention solutions while keeping employees in civil service. HB 1541, relating to Department of Health positions, was supported by DOH on the grounds that the positions serve vulnerable populations and require specialized expertise, while HGEA opposed. HB 2140 HD1, relating to essential permanent positions, received support from OPSD, HGEA, and the Chamber of Commerce, with written comments from the city Department of Budget and Fiscal Services. HB 2315 HD1, relating to state employment benefits, was strongly supported by DOH, UPW, and HGEA as a recruitment and retention incentive; members questioned the pilot program, and DOH explained it would allow employees to cash out vacation leave earlier than current policy allows. The committee also heard HB 2295 on government contracting, with DOE support not present and IBEW 1186 in opposition. HB 1720, relating to professional engineers, drew strong support from the City and County of Honolulu’s planning department, which argued the bill would help with affordable housing review and only affect eligibility to sit for the licensure exam, but strong opposition from engineering industry and licensing board representatives, who warned it would lower licensing standards and harm reciprocity; members questioned both sides about plan review experience and licensure requirements. HB 2367, relating to employment earnings and pay transparency, received strong support from the Hawaii Civil Rights Commission, AAUW, the Commission on the Status of Women, and others, who said transparency helps small businesses and retention, while written opposition came from the Maui Chamber of Commerce and NFIB. Finally, HB 1935, relating to personal information, drew comments from the Attorney General and the Campaign Spending Commission about implementation burdens and disclosure requirements, with UPW supporting the home-address redaction portion but opposing the broader disclosure process; additional written testimony was noted from OIP, the League of Women Voters, Public Press Law Center, HGEA, and DCCA.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'll spend my time today discussing the recommendations in the report.
• So we lay out a vision for the SPI's role within our report.
• The second activity would be to report on the state of education.
• It just means eliminating different reports, so there aren't so many reports.
• Decades of reports echo themes we have raised in our advocacy...

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Summary: The joint Senate Education and Budget Committee hearing focused on Governor Newsom’s education governance proposal, which would reorganize state K-12 education leadership by shifting day-to-day management of the Department of Education from the elected Superintendent of Public Instruction to a governor-appointed education commissioner, while giving the superintendent a more policy-focused role and voting seats on the State Board of Education and the California Community Colleges Board of Governors. Brooks Allen, for the State Board of Education and Governor’s office, argued the change would reduce fragmented authority, improve accountability, and align California with other states that use appointed chief education officials. Amber Alexander of the Department of Finance outlined the budget-neutral staffing transfers and transition timeline, and LAO analyst Sarah Cortez said the LAO supports the shift to an appointed commissioner but recommends Senate confirmation, clearer statutory duties, preserved legislative oversight, and a cost-neutral fiscal plan. Committee members raised substantial concerns about timing, constitutionality, voter expectations, and whether the proposal would actually improve student outcomes. Senator Cabaldon argued the change would effectively alter the meaning of the constitutionally created superintendent office during an election year without voter approval, and questioned whether governance restructuring has evidence of improving achievement or should instead yield savings. Other senators asked how the new structure would work in practice, who would be accountable if it failed, whether a governor-appointed commissioner was the best model, and whether local districts would truly see clearer lines of authority. Allen responded that the Legislature retains plenary authority over education, that the transition would be minimally disruptive, and that the proposal was designed to create a single line of management and clearer communication for local districts. The discussion also covered the Legislature’s role in curriculum and education policy. LAO staff explained that the Legislature has broad authority over education and can direct curriculum-related policy, though it has generally delegated detailed curriculum work to the State Board and the Instructional Quality Commission. Several senators said the current system already creates confusion for voters and local educators, while others argued the proposal adds another layer of bureaucracy and overpromises on results. No vote was taken at this hearing; members continued questioning witnesses and indicated the proposal would be examined further in later panels, including testimony from local education leaders.

Transcript Highlights:

• Individuals on this supervision don't report to the probation office monthly; they report weekly.
• They don't report monthly; they report weekly.
• They don't report monthly. They report weekly.
• You go out; people report to it.
• A report from the U.S.

Summary: The Criminal Justice Subcommittee heard an informational presentation from the Florida Department of Corrections on how the prison and community supervision systems operate after sentencing. Assistant Deputy Secretary Hope Gartman described the reception process for new inmates, including intake, medical and mental health screening, classification, custody and housing levels, gain time, and the department’s academic, vocational, substance abuse, chaplaincy, visitation, and communication programs. She emphasized that reentry begins on day one and that program placement is driven by risk and needs assessments, with facilities matched to inmates’ medical, mental health, and security requirements. Members also asked about family contact, visitor applications, inmate welfare trust funds, tablet access, private prison placement, staffing shortages, overtime, contraband interdiction, and waiting lists for programs; several follow-up materials were requested for distribution to all members. Mr. Winkler then outlined community corrections, explaining the different supervision types under Florida law, including probation, drug offender probation, community control, sex offender supervision, conditional release, and addiction recovery supervision. He described the department’s monitoring tools, such as office and field visits, warrantless searches, alternative sanctioning for technical violations, telephone reporting for low-risk offenders, employment assistance, and mobile probation and reentry units. He said the department’s supervision success rate is about 62%, with more than 91% of successful completers not returning to custody within three years. Members questioned officer workloads, the use of radios and GPS check-ins, the rollout of uniforms and firearms, how violations are handled, and whether all circuits participate in alternative sanctioning; Winkler said the program is statewide and that the department is seeking funding for radios. During public comment, Florida Cares Charity urged the committee to consider evidence on deterrence, parole, and recidivism, arguing that community supervision is less costly than incarceration and can be effective. James Beardy of the Florida PBA emphasized the dangers faced by correctional and probation officers, including long shifts, field searches, and working alone, and argued for higher pay and better support comparable to other law enforcement. The meeting concluded with the chair thanking the presenters and public speakers, and the subcommittee adjourned without taking any legislative votes or formal actions.

Transcript Highlights:

• A closed-loop system is very water-efficient.
• What AWWA reported in their survey was a range of 0.6 to 1.7%.
• Based on what was reported in the survey this year.
• Preliminary engineering report funding, we will refine that.
• That report is an 18- to 24-month process.

Summary: The Water Topics Overview Committee met to review several interim studies and receive updates from the Department of Water Resources. The committee approved the March 26, 2026 minutes, observed a moment of silence for the late Representative Conmy, and welcomed Representative Hansen to the committee. Staff then reported that the watershed management study and the stormwater/wastewater study had both satisfied the presentation requirements in their study directives, with no further required testimony unless members wanted additional information. The department’s main presentation focused on major water projects and agency operations. Reese Haas and staff updated members on the NAWS project, the Southwest Pipeline Project, Devils Lake outlet operations, low-head dam safety work, floodplain management repository implementation, data center water use, and the 2027 Water Development Plan. Members asked detailed questions about NAWS funding sources, remaining project costs, capacity concerns for All Seasons and other users, and whether current construction is being designed for future demand. The department said NAWS remains on track for substantial completion by October, that remaining NAWS funding will come from a mix of federal, state, and local sources, and that current construction is designed for ultimate capacity while some future components will be adjusted for increased demand. A large portion of the meeting was devoted to the department’s cash management, Resources Trust Fund revenues, carryover balances, and the State Water Commission’s cost-share program. The department reported $340.6 million in carryover remaining, explained that much of it is already obligated to long-term projects, and noted that oil price forecasts and stripper-well exemptions will affect future revenues. Members raised concerns about large carryovers, affordability for local sponsors, and whether the state should continue obligating money multiple bienniums ahead. The department said it is working with the commission on a revised prioritization framework, including high/moderate/low project categories and a two-tier pre-construction/construction approach, to better manage obligations and affordability. The committee also reviewed Deloitte’s finalized studies on regional governance/finance and cost-share policy. Deloitte presented options for Southwest, NAWS, and Red River governance, with stakeholders generally favoring keeping NAWS largely as is, using the current Southwest model with improvements, and pursuing a more structured governance option for Red River. On cost share, the department said Deloitte’s recommended package would cover projected needs through the 2030s, but would require policy changes such as lower percentages for some project types, a 25% replacement-project rate with a cap, and possible bonding or delayed reimbursement strategies. No votes were taken on these policy questions, and the chair indicated the committee would continue the discussion at future basin meetings and the September Water Topics meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• So, with information reporting, a matter of efficiency over... history is what we call 1098s, 1099s.
• Where it allows the businesses and the financials to actually report their information return reporting
• It's an efficiency exercise that goes on.
• We'll ask for a report back. Thank you.
• Under the banner of fiscal efficiency.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• meals and rooms tax reports came out. meals and rooms tax reports came out.
• In that resources more efficiently.
• <03:13:02.319> on Assistance Commission that reports on Assistance Commission that reports
• ,<04:09:38.000> and in a way that's secure, efficient, and in a way that's secure, efficient
• <04:19:10.800> We that done more efficiently. We that done more efficiently.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Another small part of the issue, um, that law enforcement reports is that people understand that the
• is that people Zone enforcement reports is that people Zone understand<00:35:58.880> that<00:
• <01:48:15.639> uh consumers and government efficiency uh consumers and government efficiency
• These are all moves in the right direction to make the process more efficient.
• No, I'm just looking from the committee report here. It says members of the committee absent.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• A report summarizing data isn't the actual data. So I think that's one question.
• When were those reports conducted? Are you referring to? The 2017 CPUC report or the BRG report?
• The BRG report.
• weekly summaries and final reports.
• Efficiency is appreciated in this committee. Thank you, Madam Chair, members.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• personalized learning, language translation, accessibility for students with disabilities, and school efficiency
• personalized learning, language translation, accessibility for students with disabilities and school efficiency
• The broadness of this bill risk chilling disabilities and school efficiency.
• According to a 2024 report from the University of San Diego, 66% of all elected officials report being
• According to a 2024 report from the University of San Diego, 66% of all elected officials report being

Summary: The Assembly Privacy and Consumer Protection Committee heard two bills. AB 1159 by Assemblymember Addis would update California student data privacy law to extend protections to college students, limit how ed tech companies can collect and use student information, and add restrictions around sensitive data and generative AI use. Supporters, including Privacy Rights Clearinghouse, CFT, labor, civil rights, and education groups, said students and educators need stronger safeguards against invasive data collection and misuse. Opponents, including College Board, TechNet, CalChamber, and ACT Education, argued the bill was overly broad, could interfere with legitimate educational services and AI development, and raised concerns about a private right of action and impacts on adult students and recruitment opportunities. AB 883 by Assemblymember Lowenthal would expedite deletion of personal information for elected and appointed officials under California’s data broker deletion system by having state agencies provide official lists to the privacy agency and requiring brokers to delete the information within five days. Supporters said the measure responds to rising threats, harassment, and violence against public officials and would help reduce exposure of their personal data. TechNet and TechC.A. opposed unless amended, citing concerns about exemptions for lawful data sharing, the five-day timeline, and litigation risk, while the author emphasized the bill does not create a new right but streamlines access to an existing deletion process. Both bills were advanced after committee discussion and roll calls. AB 1159 passed 11-2 and was sent to the Judiciary Committee. AB 883 passed 14-0 and was sent to the Appropriations Committee.

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:14:47.040> which<00:14:47.199> we fiscal year 24 annual report which we fiscal
• year 24 annual report which we handed<00:14:47.720> out<00:14:47.920> to<00:14:48.120><
• <00:31:34.240> uh from uh the US News and World Report uh from uh the US News and World Report
• and provides pharmaceuticals to our veterans homes in a way that is really efficient for us at MDVA
• operates with precision and efficiency operates with precision and efficiency and<00:35:01.440><

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Summary: The subcommittee held its first hearing of the session and began with introductions from members and staff, many of whom shared personal or family connections to military service. The chair emphasized that the committee would work respectfully and invited members to raise concerns directly. No votes or formal actions were taken during the opening portion of the meeting. The main substantive item was an overview presentation from the Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs. Commissioner Brad Lindsay described the agency’s mission, statewide footprint, and strategic goals, noting Minnesota has more than 286,000 veterans and that MDVA serves veterans in all 87 counties. He outlined the department’s structure, including eight veterans homes, four state veterans cemeteries, tribal and campus outreach, and the agency’s focus on seamless support, awareness of programs, stewardship of resources, and workforce retention. Deputy Commissioner Ben Johnson then detailed the Programs and Services Division, including federal VA claims assistance, veterans employment and education support, state veterans cemeteries and memorial affairs, the State Soldiers Assistance Program, homelessness prevention, tribal veteran service officers, women veterans services, the Minnesota GI Bill, licensing and certification assistance, the state approving agency, veterans preference, emergency assistance, the LinkVet line, and the Minnesota Service Core partnership with Lutheran Social Services. He also noted the agency’s work on food insecurity and burial services. The presentation was informational only, with no committee action reported.

Transcript Highlights:

• their ability to lower prices more expeditiously, to expand their services, and in fact to improve efficiency
• One of the clearest efficiently.
• of their products more efficiently. of their products more efficiently.
• of unregulated green houses no reports of unregulated green houses trying<00:39:14.720> to<00
• prices in their annual reports. prices in their annual reports.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• simply has an a report from an MCD.
• <00:56:37.920> as economically as possible, efficiently as economically as possible, efficiently
• <01:06:41.039> in just said is required to be reported in just said is required to be reported
• , you report that by those categories, you have<01:07:13.760> to<01:07:13.920> report<01
• :07:14.240> related<01:07:14.720> services have to report related services have to report

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Summary: The commission to study the cost of special education met, confirmed a quorum, introduced members and guests, and approved the minutes from the October 29 meeting. Members noted the commission’s mandate under Senate Bill 57 and emphasized the need to focus on recommendations and findings by July 1, 2026. The chair also distributed additional handouts, including materials related to the Education Freedom Account (EFA) program and administrative rules tied to differentiated aid and disability determinations. The main discussion centered on how students qualify for differentiated aid under the EFA program. Matt Sutherton of the Children’s Scholarship Fund explained that the organization, which contracts with the state to administer EFAs, accepts either school-district/IEP documentation or a medical certification of disability (MCD) from a licensed medical professional. Members questioned how this process relates to the state’s special education rules and whether the school-district examiner standards in ED 107/1107.04 apply to EFAs. Sutherton said the MCD form, created with the department, requires the medical professional to sign that they are qualified to make the determination and to identify the disability. Several members expressed concern that the EFA process is less rigorous than the school-district IEP process and may be inflating disability counts. One member argued that the administrative rules cited are primarily for school districts, not EFAs, and said the Department of Education may not know how many of the roughly 890 EFA students receiving differentiated aid came through school-district documentation versus the MCD pathway. Another member said the EFA system appears more generous than the school system and raised concerns about oversight, auditing, and whether the program’s data are accurate. Sutherton said the organization reviews signed documentation, credentials, and diagnosis information, and may request additional records to help adjudicate expenses. No votes or formal actions were taken beyond approving the prior minutes.

Transcript Highlights:

• SB 568 Section 10 language will help take the senators out of this equation, promote efficiency, and
• SB 568 Section 10 language will help take the Senators out of this equation promote efficiency. 568,
• Section 10 language will help take the Senators out of this equation, promote efficiency, and provide
• The committee substitute for House Bill 6 will be reported favorably to the full Senate.
• In its most recent report, it shows that strong implementation of support systems like MTSS improves

Bills: HB2

Keywords: disaster preparedness, emergency management, flooding, mass fatality, mass casualty, fatality tracking, body recovery, autopsy, justice of the peace, medical examiner, county judge, sheriff, mayor, emergency coordinator, emergency manager license, volunteer management system, volunteer registration, criminal history check, background check, Texas Division of Emergency Management

Summary: The committee continued public testimony on House Bill 2, which would make major changes to public school funding, teacher pay, special education, early learning, school safety, and related programs. Many superintendents and education advocates supported the bill’s overall direction but urged changes, especially a larger basic allotment and more flexible funding for rural and small districts. Witnesses from Paint Creek, West Hardin, Cushing, Blooming Grove, Mildred, Buffalo, Plano, and rural school groups said the bill’s targeted raises and new requirements would not fully cover inflation, TRS/Medicare costs, transportation, insurance, or support staff salaries, and several asked the committee to restore the House version’s higher basic allotment and small-school allotment. Charter school representatives supported the facilities funding changes and said charter schools need state help because they cannot levy taxes, while also noting the funding gap with ISDs. Fine arts advocates asked the committee to restore the fine arts allotment, arguing arts improve engagement, attendance, and academic outcomes, especially in rural and at-risk communities. Early learning and special education witnesses supported parts of the bill but raised concerns about pre-K restrictions, disability-related pre-K access, and the need to preserve or clarify special education provisions and mental health oversight language. Several witnesses praised the teacher pay raise, teacher incentive allotment expansion, and teacher preparation investments, saying they would help recruit and retain educators and improve student outcomes. Others, including counselors and support staff advocates, argued the bill should also include raises for counselors, nurses, librarians, bus drivers, custodians, aides, and other non-teaching employees who keep schools running. One witness from the Texas Counseling Association opposed the substitute because it removed a counselor pay provision, warning of counselor shortages and inequities. A parent and special education advocate said the bill’s structure creates too many strings attached and asked for a larger basic allotment instead of more targeted funding. Another witness from Mental Health America urged keeping the collaborative task force on public school mental health services through 2031, and a disability rights advocate said the committee substitute appears to omit some special education items that were in the House version. The committee also briefly took up House Bill 6, a school discipline bill. After questions about automatic mandatory expulsion for vape possession and concerns about younger students, the committee adopted the substitute and voted to report HB 6 favorably to the full Senate by a 9-1 vote, with Senator Menendez voting no and Senators West and Menendez expressing reservations but supporting further discussion. After that vote, testimony on HB 2 resumed. Senators used the hearing to ask about the bill’s cost, the difference between the basic allotment and the bill’s targeted funding buckets, and whether the permanent teacher pay increase shifts pressure off districts. The bill’s supporters emphasized that it represents an historic, roughly $8 billion investment and that many of the new funding streams are intended to be permanent or to address specific district needs.

Transcript Highlights:

• And by your vote, please show Cs for SB 940, reported favorably.
• Reported favorably. Thank you, senators.
• Yes, please show Senate Bill 936, reported favorably members.
• By your vote show committee substitute for Senate Bill. 1322, reported reported favorably.
• The confirmation of Alexis, Reverend John Gilbert is reported favorably.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Turnover is very costly in terms of training, quality, productivity, and efficiency.
• <00:38:08.359> ways more affordable and more efficient ways more affordable and more efficient
• Let's get going so your reports and evaluations in the bill can proceed.
• nation let's get going so your reports nation let's get going so your reports and<01:13:31.639><
• homicide report that intimate partner homicide report that shows<01:15:33.840> every<01:15:34.159

Keywords: 1183, house